Since my last main update for April – and the return of the Forcett carriage to Beamish Museum - things have changed quite a bit. After the “upgrade and improvements” at the previous image hosting website on 20th May 2013, I decamped to ipernity, transplanted my images into a new *club* account and changed the link in my signature. Since then I have uploaded somewhere in the region of 100 images covering the May to July period.
Also I needed to update my homepage, to include the details of a couple of new projects……one of which had already been completed, so went straight into the past projects page. Further new work to be added……

Project reports :-
Considerable progress has continued on NSR127 : the structural work has all been completed, including canvassing a new roof. The doors and droplights have been built and are being hung / fitted. The various stages of painting and varnishing are well underway – with the inside virtually finished. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2216 ... bum/402585 : More images are to follow shortly.
The refit of the Miller Fifer has continued with a range of tasks at various stages of completion. The interior work has progressed into the forecabin, whilst the main cabin has been upgraded with soft furnishings. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2401 ... bum/402825 As a Scottish boat, a certain amount of tartan has been included ……
We have painted the steel apron for the Sentinel Steam Waggon. Final assembly of the cab, roof and apron has been completed – after a final steam test, to make sure that there are no small wisps of escaping steam. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2216 ... bum/402739 A number of other items have also been painted and it is reported that the signwriter has been at work …….. A few extra images will be needed.
The work on the lifeboat Callout Boards has been completed, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2401 ... bum/402869 they were delivered in time to greet the restored “George Elmy” during an emotional return to Seaham Harbour.
There are a number of other items “in hand” but they have managed to escape the camera……but not for long….. I’ve managed a few non-work images as well, including a trip for a sponsored “pub crawl” by pulling lifeboat along the Norfolk Broads. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2399 ... bum/463845
And Ben de-Dog has been enjoying his visits to the workshop, Whitby – even on a sunny day ! http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2401 ... bum/402815 and getting home again……

Please – feel free to have a splash around in my photostream or paddle in the albums, you can click on the thumbnails that interest you to get a larger version.
Should you be another ipernity member then you will be able add a comment or maybe even select a favourite (or several).

In the last month I have uploaded about 25 images to ipernity; and begun turning the status of the vast majority for my f****r images to private, as I intend to use ipernity for displaying my work.
Also my homepage has been updated; to include the details of new projects (NSR61) and to link the image gallery titles to the relevant ipernity albums …… If all goes according to plan, details some further new work will be added shortly ……

Project reports :-
It is with considerable pleasure and pride that we announce the completion of NSR127 and that the carriage has been returned to the NSRRSRT at Caversall Road. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2591 ... bum/402585 Some more images, from the NSRRSRT / Foxfield Railway are due to be uploaded shortly.
The low loader that collected the carriage has brought us NSR61 in exchange. Sorting out the “one off & one on” event took a certain amount of planning and occupied quite a significant area outside our workshop and part of a neighbouring area, also attracting much attention ! http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2591 ... bum/502127 NSR61 is currently being examined as the first stage of the work to final completion that we are to undertake for the NSRRSRT, funding is mainly from a PRISM grant. Work on the doors (sub-project) has already started, with the first door already showing significant progress from this image. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2591 ... bum/502127
The refit of the Miller Fifer has progressed with several tasks reaching various levels of completion. A number of minor works, almost as snagging details, have continued to the interior, more work has been carried out on the cockpit coamimg / backrest and to the topsides in general, including re-varnishing the masts.
I am still aiming to get a few extra images of the work carried out on the Sentinel Steam Waggon .
I have been told that the Bread Van we overhauled for Beamish Museum has now been sign-written; and I hope to have some images shortly.

There are a number of other items “in hand” but they have managed to escape the camera……but not for long….. I’ve managed a few non-work images as well, including a trip to Whitby (again) but mainly the rescue of a Blackbird nestling http://www.ipernity.com/doc/312383/2489 ... bum/482279 to a fully fledged juvenile, currently in an avairy prior to a soft release. I suspect that it may be somewhat imprinted, but it is quite capable of finding food already.
And Ben de-Dog has been enjoying his visits to the workshop, and Whitby – even on a sunny day ! and getting home again……and walking / playing with “Ziggy” down by and in the river.

Please – feel free to have a plodge around in my photostream or dip into the albums, you can click on the thumbnails that interest you to get a larger version.
Should you be another ipernity member then you will be able to add a comment or maybe even select a favourite (or several). If you are not already signed up, I would encourage you to try ipernity, they do a free membership level, as well as their *club* subscription service.

Abject and serious apologies for the lack of updates ...
Life has just been far too busy and complicated.
However, I have just updated my homepage / website (apart form some images) and have now made a start on working my way through the significant number of backdated uploads for my Ipernity pages (which may take some time).

In summary; the workshop has continued to be very active. In fact, we just dispatched the large carriage that was filling the main work area off to the Tanfield Railway, and have begun work on a brake for the Knotty Heritage Train.

Hopefully, I'll be able to resume "normal service" in the near future.

I am still playing catch-up with project images ...
completed (or almost so) are the albums for
a) NER 2853
b) the 3ft gauge replica / exhibit for Ravenglass museum
c) Bowes "Ordinary" 971
and then I need to get up to date with the "Knotty Brake"
as well as the many other random things I see ...

The Link in my sig takes you to my "album home page" so feel free to have an explore.

I just checked out my Ipernity account, and wasn't totally happy at the lack of privacy available, and I couldn't see how to download the photos. I put them in the 'cloud' as a sort of backup. Strangely, I found a large number of views of my photos - far more than I would have expected for unremarkable pictures. Mad me uneasy.

The easiest thing would have been to go to "organiser", select all and turn "private" then only you can see them.

I did something like that - then I thought that there is a fundamental difference in what the site provides, and what I wanted. I just wanted a private gallery, whilst others want as many people as possible to see their work. I can always join again if I change my mind.

Ipernity is a fairly small site, to be honest, mainly for amateur, hobby and family photographers.
The website will be going to https shortly, although sign in and payment are there already.
If you just want lots of views (real or otherwise) fl***r and faceb00k seem to be the place and professionals go to zenfolio or smumug
And there are quite a few people without images or articles (blogs) in the public domain - mainly "family & friends".

Tripps, if you simply want to make files available to friends & family you may find that Box is appropriate: Box
EDIT: Whoops! Ignore that. I've just looked more closely and it seems to be different to when I used it in the past. I used to be able to share photos on it for free but now that link is for paid accounts. There seems to be a free, cut down version here: Link but when I dig further they want me to pay again! I suppose the `free' 10GB is just to get you started. Oh well, I suppose you don't get owt for nowt!